Blinken offers congratulations to Lai Ching-te for victory in Taiwan election

Secretary of State Antony Blinken participated in Taiwan's presidential election on Saturday and congratulated Lai Ching-toku (also known as William) on his victory.

Blinken: “The United States congratulates Dr. Lai Ching-toku on his victory in Taiwan's presidential election.'' stated in a statement Shared by the State Department. “We also congratulate the Taiwanese people for once again demonstrating the strength of their strong democratic system and electoral process.”

Rai, who previously served as vice president, won the country's presidential election after his opponent was forced to concede in a high-stakes race.

The outcome will determine relations with China for years to come, as China warns that regional peace and stability between the two countries is under threat. China claims that the area of ​​water between the two countries is its own right.

“We will continue to work with Dr. Lai and Taiwan's party leaders to advance our common interests and values ​​and extend our long-standing unofficial relationship in line with the United States' One China policy,” Blinken said in a statement Saturday. I look forward to deepening our understanding even further.”

He added: “I am confident that Taiwan will continue to serve as a model for all who seek freedom, democracy and prosperity.”

China has previously warned that the election is critical because voters could choose between war and peace. The country has openly opposed Mr. Lai's party, the Democratic Progressive Party, which claims sovereignty over the island, which has ruled it for almost three-quarters of a century.

Mr. Lai rejected China's sovereignty claims and offered to hold talks with China, but officials rejected the talks, calling China a “separatist” country that split from mainland China after a 1949 civil war. .

“Today, #Taiwan once again demonstrated to the world its people's commitment to democracy.” Rai posted on Xthe platform formerly known as Twitter.

He thanked the people for their trust and said he would continue to work to “protect peace across the Taiwan Strait and be a force for good in the international community.”